'Orissa has only one power centre - Naveen
Power Centre' - Dr Damodar Rout

"Dr
Damodar Rout has been accommodated in the Naveen Patnaik ministry this
time too, he has not been lucky enough to get his favourite portfolio.
But he has taken this in his stride, claiming that he is ready to face
new challenges in the changed portfolios."

Subrat Swain : August 19, 2009

Subrat Swain (HNF):
You were quite popular as Panchayati Raj minister throughout India.
Even the central govt, while taking any decision, prefered to
consult you. But in the third term of Naveen Patnaik government, you
did not get your favourite portfolio. What is your reaction?

Dr Rout: I have no reaction in this
matter. You know, allocation of portfolios is the prerogative of any
Chief Minister. So he has done what he thought was fit to do.

HNF: But you
got Agriculture and Co-operative department instead of the
Panchayati Raj portfolio. Some critics say that the CM has given you
less important portfolios. Is it right?

Dr Damodar Rout -
the Agriculture Minister of Orissa is a veteran politician of the
state. Actively into politics under the leadership of legendary
personality Biju Pattnaik, Dr Rout has a stronghold in the districts
of Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada. However, with many achievements, Dr
Rout had to manage with many controversies also during his political
career.

Dr Rout: Who says that Agriculture and
Co-operatives portfolios are less important than others? It is true that I
enjoyed substantial popularity as Panchayati Raj minister, nevertheless the
Agriculture department is more important than the Panchayati Raj
(portfolio). The CM has a special agenda in mind and that’s why I have been
entrusted with these portfolios.

HNF: So, what is the
special agenda of the chief minister, this time?

Dr Rout: As you
know, the industries are growing at a rapid pace in Orissa these days. The
state is attracting massive investments. But this is also likely to create a
chasm in the state because not every individual or group will benefit from
this development. Just as one group will benefit from industrial growth by
getting jobs or entering into businesses, there will in all likelihood be
another group which won’t get any benefits from this process. This, in turn,
will create the sense of injustice in their minds. So keeping this
possibility in mind, the state government has decided to enhance the
economic status of farmer. Orissa is agricultural state and majority of the
farmers in the state are small farmers. For this reason, the CM has
entrusted me with agriculture department, along with co-operatives. I think,
it has a vital role to play in building a better Orissa.

>>> Scroll down to read rest of the
Interview

HNF: What are the
key challenges before you after getting the berth of agriculture?

Dr Rout: Let me
clarify first, we are a paddy- surplus state in India. In current year, we
have 9 lakh tonnes of surplus rice. But at the same time Orissa is suffering
due to insufficient production and supply of Dal (pulses), fish and
vegetables. We are always dependent on procurement of these from
neighbouring state. So along with the paddy cultivation, we are giving
priority now to produces more fish, dal and vegetable. We want to balance
the supply of paddy on one hand and that of dal and vegetables on other
hand. Now we are encouraging farmers to garden farming. Because as far as
geological and environmental aspects are concerned, Orissa is the best place
for garden farming.

HNF: The ruling
party members criticised Central government on fertilisers issue. But you
didn’t share their views on this matter. Is there a difference of opinion
between party members on this issue?

Dr Rout: Did I
praise the central government? I only said that we have sufficient quantity
of fertilisers to fulfil our needs at present and we are only trying to get
1 Lakh tonnes of surplus fertilisers from central government. We have not
been harassed by the Central govt. till date so right now we have no reason
to blame them over this issue.

HNF: Union
Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, during his visit to Orissa, advised
people to prepare Basmati rice rather than boiled rice. Why didn’t you react
at that time?

Dr Rout: Exactly.
What he said is fact. We produce more boiled rice than non-boiled rice.
Whereas other states produce non-boiled rice to suit their consumption
pattern. Therefore , if we want to sell our rice we have to produce more
non-boiled rice.

HNF: Some critics
say, that paddy is under-priced in the state because practically there are
no takers for it due to Naveen Patnaik government’s 2 rupees/kg rice scheme.
What do you have to say on this?

Dr Rout: I don’t
think there is any relation between paddy being underpriced and the state
government’s rice supply scheme. But we are examining the situation and I
have given order to co-operative societies and agencies to collect paddy
from farmer.

HNF: Most farmers
are poor in Orissa. What steps have been taken by the govt. to improve their
condition?

Dr Rout: We are
emphasising upon loans. We have a better understanding of the financial
condition of the farmers in Orissa. If we give low-interest loans to
farmers, it will help them produce more paddy.

HNF: After getting
the agriculture portfolio, how you will tackle the POSCO problem?

Dr Rout: Though,
POSCO project area is not covered in my new assembly constituency, but this
area falls in my native place Erasama. I think there is no problem
whatsoever. Some people, influenced by outside forces, are opposed to the
project. But Naveen govt. is still trying to resolve the issue amicably.

HNF: There are two
power centres in Jagatsinghpur district. Comment.

Dr Rout: I think
there is only one power centre in orissa, that is Naveen power centre. There
is no meaning of any other power centre.

HNF: Some analysts
believed that you won’t get party ticket during elections because of the
serious differences you earlier had with BJD’s chief strategist Pyarimohan
Moha-patra. What will you say ?

Dr Rout: Quite frankly, there were no problems
between us till now, nor would there be any in the future. In a political
party, there is bound to be difference of opinion with your colleagues but
we never allowed them to degenerate into heartburn(manantar). Both
Pyari babu and myself are working hard for BJD.